"Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (2 Cor. 8:21).

I remember something Ronald Reagan said one time, "Trust, but verify." Dating is about an investigation. Another thing I would want to know is your medical history. People have medical problems that they don't reveal until after they get married. That is selfish. And that is absolutely dishonest.

One time a couple came in for pre-marriage counseling. I was going through all these things and more with them. We get down to the issue of medical history. So I asked the woman, "Can you have children?" She said, "Absolutely." I asked again, "You can have children?" She said, "Yes."

I knew in his case that the dream of this man's life was to have a son. So I asked the woman. "You know that he wants children. Can you have children?" She said, "Yes." I said, "Absolutely?" "Yes." she said. All right, I moved on to another subject.

This was back in the day when I was a younger pastor. Today, I wouldn't have taken her word for it. Now, I don't need to see your medical history, but he does. Today, I don't take your word for it. "Show me the money today." This incident was one of the reasons why.

So, they get married. About a month later I get this urgent request, "Pastor, would you please see me. You've got to see me. I'm going to die if you don't see me. You've got to see me." So I saw him. He said that this woman could not have children. She knew it before she married him. The doctors told her and she knew why. Now she is married to him. She figures that she's got him now and he'll adjust to it. I said, "Why didn't you tell him the truth?" "Because I was afraid I was going to lose him." She told me.

This young man really loved God. He was young in the Lord, and that threw him for such a loop. It ruined him. He totally backslid. Of course, she lost him. She should have. But he wound up bounced out to the street. I still can't find him now. I'm still hurt that I can't find him.

This is why people have to be honest.

Study Reference: 2 Corinthians 8:21